First Church, Birmingham, new associate pastor for missions and discipleship Rich Hutchens

Rich Hutchens has been named the new associate pastor for missions and discipleship of First Church, Birmingham. Hutchens earned a bachelor’s degree from East Texas University in Marshall, Texas, and a master of divinity degree and doctor of ministry degree from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He previously served as pastor of churches in Kentucky and most recently served with the International Mission Board for 27 years. He will retire from that role Aug. 1. He and his wife, Susan, have three children and eight grandchildren.